Firm Profile > Clyde & Co LLP > London, England

Aviation Tier 1

Clyde & Co LLP has a 'significant depth of expertise' for aviation work and it has 'exceptional international capabilities, which allows a high-quality service to be delivered, regardless of location'. The team handles a broad range of aviation issues covering contentious and non-contentious instructions. Its expertise spans regulatory, commercial and insurance mandates where the team is instructed by leading airlines and insurers. Robert Lawson QC is noted for his expertise across air carrier liability, aviation regulatory matters and commercial dispute resolution and defended Compagnia Aerea Italiana SPA (CAI), alongside Mark Bisset, on a $260m claim brought by an aircraft lessor. Elsewhere, John Samiotis is is 'hugely knowledgeable',  Maria Cetta is an 'exceptionally strong lawyer', Philip Bass is 'first-rate' and Gareth Lewis provides a 'joined-up approach to working across multiple jurisdictions'. Recently promoted partner Tom van der Wijngaart handles contentious and non-contentious instructions and is experienced in airport slot transactions, Craig Rooney is noted for his experience in aviation liability work, as are Rob Ireland and legal director Adam Baker. Senior associate Elizabeth Lambert-James is experienced in advising on high-profile aviation accidents, particularly in French-speaking jurisdictions. The team recently acquired Roger Whipp from Kennedys.

Clinical negligence: defendant Tier 1

Clyde & Co LLP fields 'an experienced team handling some of the weightiest clinical negligence cases'. The practice has a full-service healthcare offering, which not only includes defendant clinical negligence, but also encompasses regulatory and disciplinary proceedings, judicial review and representation at inquests. The team is instructed by heavyweights in the public sector as well as several private medical malpractice insurers, healthcare providers and privately paying individuals. Head of the Global Healthcare practice Claire Petts has particular expertise acting for medical professionals in brain injury, obstetric and other maximum severity claims. Gemma Brannigan 's experience spans advocacy in a number of high-profile inquests, including prison inquests. The 'very professional and first-class lawyer' Sam Holden often handles claims involving birth asphyxia and neurological injuries.

Commercial property: retail Tier 1

The team at Clyde & Co LLP demonstrates a proven track record on development matters and investment work, both domestically and abroad,  ‘taking the initiative and going beyond what is required’. Public sector-driven schemes and projects are a particular strength; so too is the retail sector, where the practice is able to call upon the firm’s planning, construction, litigation and IP departments, among others, to provide clients with a full service. David Wyatt heads the retail practice, while Martin Quicke and Graeme Taylor lead on development and investment matters. The firm is also recommended for corporate occupier instructions.

Commodities disputes Tier 1

Clyde & Co LLP acts for clients across the entire commodities supply chain on a global basis, with the practice in London playing a pivotal role in the firm's international network. Its experienced partners have extensive experience in United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL), Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC), London Maritime Arbitrators Association (LMAA), London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA), and International Court of Arbitration (ICC) arbitrations, both in London and overseas. They also handle matters before trade association boards and exchanges including Grain and Feed Trade Association (GAFTA), Federation of Oils, Seeds and Fats Associations (FOSFA), the Refined Sugar Association, British Coffee Board, International Cotton Association and The London Metal Exchange. They frequently advise the world's largest trading, banking and logistics companies on complex, cross-border arbitrations before major trade association boards, and have specialist knowledge of the regulation of international commodity markets. The firm also has a market-leading practice for advice on international sanctions.

Personal injury: claimant Tier 1

Personal injury: claimant Tier 1

Health and safety Tier 1

Clyde & Co LLP advises both insurers and multinational companies on all aspects of health and safety work. The 'totally dependable and incredibly smart' Chris Morrison leads the team out of Manchester and has extensive experience of public investigations and inquiries; he has been leading the firm's team advising CEP Facades, the cladding fabricator to Grenfell Tower, on the ongoing police investigation and public inquiry into the fire at the tower in 2017. Other key figures include Rod Hunt, who is also based in Manchester and especially known for his work in the energy, construction and manufacturing sectors; and Mark Brookes, who is highly skilled in handling corporate manslaughter and workplace fatality cases. Associate Roger Cartwright is also recommended.

Insurance and reinsurance litigation Tier 1

The sizeable and well-respected team at Clyde & Co LLP stands out for its pedigree in handling high-profile cases, offering advice on a wide range of international and domestic matters involving directors and officers liability (D&O), warranty and indemnity, as well as political risk policies, among others. Strong areas of expertise include energy, construction and marine insurance. The practice, which is led out of London by global insurance head James Cooper, features the highly regarded Jane Andrewartha, reinsurance expert Nigel Brook, financial lines and management liability specialist Mandip Sagoo and head of the specialty practice Andrew Grant. Simon Jackson, who was recently promoted to senior equity partner, handles energy and marine insurance disputes, while Neil Beresford leads the global product liability practice.

Insurance: corporate and regulatory Tier 1

Clyde & Co LLP has a preeminent reputation for marine and aviation work, fielding a substantial team of insurance lawyers with an 'exceptionally deep pool of expertise' who deal with M&A, investments, reinsurance and commercial work for leading insurance companies. Global corporate insurance head Andrew Holderness, described as 'the UK's finest lawyer in the Lloyd's market', works alongside the 'extremely knowledgeable and pragmatic' Ivor Edwards, 'leading practitioner' Stephen Browning and Mark Williamson, who heads the firm’s commercial and technology practice. William Hogarth was promoted to partner in the team during 2018.

Insurance: insolvency and restructuring Tier 1

Clyde & Co LLP's insolvency and restructuring Insurance practice is valued for its 'exceptional' expertise in Lloyd's market restructuring cases and Part VII portfolio transfers, which often have a cross-border element. The 'invaluable' Ravi Masaon, who is 'a real powerhouse on Part VII transfers' leads a 'very responsive, friendly and helpful' team. William Hogarth recently led the firm's team advising new client Phoenix on its £9bn insurance business transfer. Another busy area of work for the team has been restructurings related to Brexit.

Mediators Tier 1

 Jane Andrewartha of Clyde & Co LLP has a substantial mediation practice but also retains a full private legal practice; she acts in up to two mediation appointments a week, has served on a number of boards, and for the last five years, has been the chair of a well-known insurance company. Andrewartha has 45 years in the insurance industry, meaning she has substantial knowledge of insurance and reinsurance. She is well versed in the financial services, marine and energy, aviation and construction sectors. Other areas of expertise include employment issues and contractual and agency matters. Her practice is also international, including significant, multi-jurisdictional disputes, and she has mediated cases in the US, the Middle East and the Far East as well as other European countries.

Professional negligence Tier 1

Clyde & Co LLP 'rightly deserves its exclusive top-ranking, given its unrivalled knowledge of professional negligence law and insight into the thought-processes of insurers; its awesome bedrock of knowledge means that a client doesn't just get the time spent on the instant case, but also the fruits of the firm's last decade leading the pack in this practice area'. The London team, which works closely with teams in Bristol, Edinburgh, Manchester, Newcastle and Oxford, as well as dedicated teams internationally, is experienced in defending claims against all classes of professionals, advising insurers on policy coverage, and advising on professional ethics and regulatory proceedings. The team offers 'excellent sector knowledge' and acts for leading law firms, the leading accountancy firms, the top surveying firms, national and international construction and engineering firms, and it is regularly instructed by the lion's share of the major professional indemnity insurers. Richard Harrison is defending Dechert LLP on a £45m claim brought by a high-profile former client, Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation (ENRC), alleging that it breached its duties and acted in a manner which was contrary to the interests of the company. Team head Andrew Blair is an 'excellent lawyer; he is very responsive, pragmatic and commercial'.

Shipping Tier 1

Operating across its London, Guildford, Manchester and Newcastle offices in the UK, and able to tap into its extensive global footprint to advise on cross-border mandates, Clyde & Co LLP 'sets the bar very high for shipping work'. It handles a broad spread of contentious and non-contentious instructions, with expertise across charterparty disputes, marine insurance claims and coverage issues, collision and salvage, cargo claims, shipbuilding, personal injury, offshore, sanctions and superyachts work. The team has a strong track record on high-profile disputes; it represented Lampe & Schwartze, as cargo insurers for Volcafe, in a well-publicised cargo claim in the Supreme Court. Among the 'exceptional team'; Stephen Mackin specialises in shipping and energy work; David Bennet handles complex disputes; Martin Hall has longstanding experience across marine casualties, charterparty and bill of lading disputes; Simon Culhane 'always provides a very good service and solutions'; Eleanor Coates provides 'assured and structured advice'; and senior associate Will Trustram is a 'rising star; he is commercially astute, technically spot-on and always available'.

Construction: contentious Tier 2

Clyde & Co LLP's contentious team of 'excellent lawyers' handles all forms of dispute resolution for construction clients, both domestically and internationally. John Morris leads the practice and acts for a broad cross-section of the market including developers, contractors, subcontractors, architects, engineers and surveyors. Anthony Albertini is another key name in the team; he works with barristers, claims consultants and expert witnesses and deals with disputes under all forms of contract.

Healthcare Tier 2

Clyde & Co LLP has a strong track record in clinical negligence litigation, primarily representing NHS trusts and healthcare professionals in complex inquests and regulatory proceedings. The firm also advises on real estate, joint ventures and commercial transactions. National practice head Claire Petts is 'a well-known figure' for claims against medical professionals, and representation of clinicians before their regulatory bodies and in complex inquests. Gemma Brannigan is likewise 'a safe pair of hands with remarkable experience' in serious medical negligence claims and inquests. Senior associate Jacques Howell is also very active in inquests and inquiries.

Infrastructure (including PFI and PPP) Tier 2

Clyde & Co LLP impresses clients with broad sector knowledge, which includes advising on social, energy, transport, and commercial development projects. Its areas of expertise include transactional support, project planning and financing as well as PFI/PPP projects work. John Morris and Liz Jenkins jointly lead the practice; the latter is noted for her experience in international infrastructure projects, particularly in emerging markets. She also advises on  facilities management and public sector outsourcing contracts. Mary Anne Roff, who divides her time between London and Newcastle, joined the group in 2019 from Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP.

Oil and gas Tier 2

Clyde & Co LLP has significant expertise in major oil and gas disputes, significant corporate and commercial transactions, offshore energy matters, and risk management in emerging markets. High-profile clients such as Total and Chevron entrust their marine, regulatory, health and safety, insurance, projects, construction and employment issues to the team, which is jointly led by Guildford-based David Bennet and Michael Wachtel. On the contentious side, David Leckie is the name to note.

Personal injury: defendant Tier 2

Clyde & Co LLP is a popular choice for domestic and international insurers, large corporate clients and public sector organisations in cases regarding serious injury and disease litigation. The team has strength in dismissing exaggerated or fraudulent claims, as well as defending class actions. Practice head Jennette Newman has extensive experience in casualty and motor claims, while Tony Cawley handles catastrophic injury claims arising from employers' and public liability matters, as well as complex occupational stress, workplace harassment and bullying claims. Multi-party claims, utmost severity cases and fatal incidents are all areas of expertise for Leanne Conisbee.

Product liability: defendant Tier 2

Clyde & Co LLP's client base is a mix of insurers and manufacturers, frequently from the aviation, agriculture and food, automotive, medical devices and pharmaceutical, and retail sectors. The firm's international network allows a close cooperation with product liability groups in the rest of Europe, North America and Asia, which is particularly valuable in multi-jurisdictional product recalls and disputes. Neil Beresford specialises in claims involving  insurers, manufacturers and retailers and Jason McNerlin is the key contact for recalls. Edinburgh-based duo Duncan Batchelor and Claire Raftery, as well as Victor Rae-Reeves and legal director Erika Rainger in London are other names to note.

Professional discipline Tier 2

Clyde & Co LLP is 'a leading firm in the field of professional regulatory work'; it acts for a large number of professional organisations and its breadth of expertise covers the medical and healthcare, accountancy, legal, property, insurance and financial services sectors. Claire Petts is head of the global healthcare practice, Fergal Cathie has acted in complex professional malpractice litigation that involves professional conduct issues and Richard Harrison heads the lawyers’ liability and regulatory group. Also highly regarded are Tim Crockford, legal directors Sam Holden and Niya Phiri and consultant Judith Duffin.

Trade finance Tier 2

'The firm is knowledgeable and experienced, and always takes a practical approach', remarks a client of Clyde & Co LLP. The practice is an integrated part of the firm's global commodities team, which advises clients on all aspects of the commodities supply chain. Practice head Robert Parson is a leading light in the market and clients remark that 'he commands great respect across and is a giant in trade finance legal circles' . He acts for a broad spectrum of clients in the international trade, commodities, energy and natural resources sectors, including major banks, traders and exporters, in complex cross-border financing arrangements. Senior associate Geraldine Butac is 'highly respected' for her work in trade and commodity finance for banks, specialist financial institutions and corporates. The firm's growing expertise in alternative financing sources, including bonds, CDOs and emerging capital markets, is a key element in its work for leading trading houses and international financial institutions including the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

Commercial litigation Tier 3

Clyde & Co LLP's 'clients' experiences always exceed expectations', according to some of those using the firm. With a well-known strength for insurance-sector work, the firm's large UK practice covers a broad range of commercial disputes for a range of industries. Its experience includes contractual issues, defence of class actions, shareholder disputes, M&A and joint venture matters, fraud, jurisdictional issues, warranty disputes, and enforcement proceedings. Recommended practitioners include Chris Burdett, who divides his time between London and Guildford, Richard Power, Neil Jamieson, Helen Rowlands, Tom White and Tim Crockford .  Consultant Conrad Walker, and legal directors Anna Myrvang  and Nicola Vinovrški are also experienced advisers.

Commercial property: corporate occupiers Tier 3

The team at Clyde & Co LLP demonstrates a proven track record on development matters and investment work, both domestically and abroad,  ‘taking the initiative and going beyond what is required’. Public sector-driven schemes and projects are a particular strength; so too is the retail sector, where the practice is able to call upon the firm’s planning, construction, litigation and IP departments, among others, to provide clients with a full service. David Wyatt heads the retail practice, while Martin Quicke and Graeme Taylor lead on development and investment matters. The firm is also recommended for corporate occupier instructions.

Commercial property: development Tier 3

The team at Clyde & Co LLP demonstrates a proven track record on development matters and investment work, both domestically and abroad,  ‘taking the initiative and going beyond what is required’. Public sector-driven schemes and projects are a particular strength; so too is the retail sector, where the practice is able to call upon the firm’s planning, construction, litigation and IP departments, among others, to provide clients with a full service. David Wyatt heads the retail practice, while Martin Quicke and Graeme Taylor lead on development and investment matters. The firm is also recommended for corporate occupier instructions.

Commercial property: investment Tier 3

The team at Clyde & Co LLP demonstrates a proven track record on development matters and investment work, both domestically and abroad,  ‘taking the initiative and going beyond what is required’. Public sector-driven schemes and projects are a particular strength; so too is the retail sector, where the practice is able to call upon the firm’s planning, construction, litigation and IP departments, among others, to provide clients with a full service. David Wyatt heads the retail practice, while Martin Quicke and Graeme Taylor lead on development and investment matters. The firm is also recommended for corporate occupier instructions.

Contruction: non-contentious Tier 3

Clyde & Co LLP's non-contentious team advises across a wide range of sectors including energy, transport and commercial development. John Morris, who leads the team, has particular expertise in construction contracts, as well as the design, supply and installation of mechanical and electrical engineering plants, offshore structures, power stations, coal liquefaction, mining and environmental issues. The firm also has a track record of advising on health and mixed use development matters. Other key partners in the team include Anthony Albertini.

International arbitration Tier 3

Clyde & Co LLP 'has impressive international arbitration experience, its presentation is slick and the lawyers are very tenacious'. The global arbitration group acts in large arbitrations in the UK and internationally, and it has particularly strong expertise in disputes arising in African and Latin American jurisdictions. Peter Hirst and Ben Knowles are co-chairs of the global arbitration group; Maurice Kenton is well known for investment arbitrations under the ICSID Rules, particularly in Africa's mining and oil and gas sectors; and Devika Khanna splits her time between the London and Athens offices. Other key advisers are David Leckie, Lee Bacon, Richard Power and David Reynolds, along with Alejandro Garcia, David Hesse and Ricardo Lewandowski.

Pensions: dispute resolution Tier 3

Recent mandates for the team at Clyde & Co LLP have included advising on scheme restructuring exercises, benefit closures, master trust regulations, SIPPS platforms and scheme risks mitigation arising from corporate acquisitions. The team also advises insurers on their annuity offerings.The firm has a developing contentious pensions practice, often drawing on the firm’s wider litigation department to act on claims relating to professional negligence, historic administration errors and investigations by the Pensions Ombudsman and the FCA. Practice head Mark Howard recently left to join workplace pensions platform Smart Pension as general counsel; key lawyers in London include Paul Hodges and Ivan Wilkinson.

Pharmaceuticals and biotechnology Tier 3

Clyde & Co LLP offers the full range of practice areas to its life sciences clients; in addition to corporate/commercial, product liability, IP and  regulatory, it also provides public procurement, employment, property and tax teams. Ralph Cox has extensive experience in patent litigation and freedom to operate and acts for biotech and mid-sized and generic pharma companies. Corporate partner Simon Gamblin assists clients such as university spin-outs on complex licensing and commercialisation agreements including disputes arising from collaboration or licensing agreements. Claire Petts specialises in the areas of drug trials, product liability and claims/clinical negligence.

Planning Tier 3

Clyde & Co LLP has a broad planning practice which covers large-scale residential developments, DCO promotions for infrastructure projects, commercial development extensions, and a particularly strong contentious offering. Recent mandates in the contentious space included a lengthy public inquiry into a motorway development and promoting a successful judicial review in the High Court concerning a local authority's residential development plans. The client roster comprises developers, landowners, local authorities, and high-net-worth individuals from a diverse range of sectors – including residential, commercial, aviation, highways, retail, leisure and infrastructure – who highly praise the breadth of expertise of dedicated partners Ian Ginbey, Stephen Webb and Brian Greenwood.

Property litigation Tier 3

Clyde & Co LLP is well equipped to guide clients, such as investors, developers and corporate occupiers, through a wide range of property disputes, including various landlord and tenant matters, contentious property portfolio issues and disputes arising from property transactions, where the team works in close conjunction with its transactional property colleagues, as well as property disputes pertaining to developments and redevelopments. Handling development-related work is a key area of expertise for team head Keith Conway, who routinely handles rights of light, covenant and vacant possession issues alongside associated Telecommunications Code right matters.

Public international law Tier 3

Clyde & Co LLP advises on both the contentious and non-contentious facets of public international law ranging from investor-state arbitrations and territorial boundary disputes to economic sanctions and diplomatic immunity. It also has extensive experience dealing with highly sensitive cross-border disputes for claimants and respondents within emerging markets. John Whittaker leads on investment disputes, sovereign immunity and sanction matters, particularly in cases involving sanctions in Iran and Syria. Co-chair of the global arbitration group Ben Knowles has 'a very good grasp of the core issues in public international law'.

Regulatory investigations and corporate crime Tier 3

Clyde & Co LLP  advises international corporations, regulators and governments on various risk advisory matters. It also represents clients in multi-jurisdictional corporate crime and regulatory investigations. Areas of expertise include anti-money laundering, anti-bribery and corruption, market abuse, fraud and sanctions. The firm has a particular focus on the industrial and insurance sectors, and also advises commodities, transport and energy clients. Co-head of team Christopher Hill focuses on regulatory, compliance and dispute resolution matters. John Whittaker, who also heads the team, specialises in trading disputes, international economic sanctions matters and advisory work.

Mining and minerals Tier 4

The mining team at Clyde & Co LLP is especially strong in emerging markets and covers the full supply chain of natural resources, from discovery to closure. On the contentious front, the group advised the insurers of a large consulting engineering firm in relation to Federal Court of Australia proceedings which alleged that it was responsible for the collapse of underground mine workings, and advised one of the world’s largest commodities traders on the acquisition of 96 mining licenses in Brazil. Maurice Kenton and Christopher Duffy lead the team.

Partnership Tier 4

Clyde & Co LLP's offering benefits from the firm's wider expertise in professional liability, led by Sarah Clover, setting the team apart in professional liability claims, regulatory investigations and proceedings against professional firms. The group also advises on structuring professional service networks for insurance and regulatory purposes. Other areas of expertise include assisting clients with matters pertaining to the cross-over of partnership and employment law; matters handled by Chris Holme. On the transactional front, Simon Vere Nicoll is regularly instructed on partnership M&A and joint ventures.

Power (including electricity, nuclear and renewables) Tier 4

Clyde & Co LLP is especially renowned for its strength in the energy insurance sector, representing both onshore and offshore clients. The practice, which is jointly led by Clare Hatcher and Guildford-based disputes specialist Mark Walsh, recently handled the defence of a claim for $80m brought by a US consortium over the cancellation of a contract for the construction of a power station near Bombay, and has also been defending a $140m business interruption claim for loss of a submarine cable between Australia and Japan.

Corporate tax Tier 5

In keeping with the firm's wider insurance expertise, Clyde & Co LLP stands out for insurance taxation matters, including public and private insurance for M&A transactions, underwriting and insurance premium tax. The group is also regularly instructed in real estate deals, as well as on a variety of M&A transactions. Ray Smith leads the team, advising on tax planning and transactional tax issues.

Education: institutions Tier 5

Clyde & Co LLP's education practice handles the full spectrum of national issues, as well as providing a broad international offering, with specialist education expertise in the Middle East. Led by David Hansom, who joined the firm from VWV, the team is active in advising UK universities, particularly on their expansion to the Middle East and Asia. Other key members of the team include Ross Barfoot in Abu Dhabi and employment lawyer Graham Mitchell.

Employment: employers Tier 5

Clyde & Co LLP's employment team has a strong track record of advising on claims in the Employment Tribunal and High Court, both in its core insurance sector and in the financial services sphere. The practice is led by Robert Hill, who has experience in all types of tribunal disputes, as well as major High Court cases. Other key members of the team include Chris Holme, who has acted for law firms, accountancy firms and financial services institutions. Heidi Watson is also recommended as an 'invaluable' member of the team.

Environment Tier 5

Clyde & Co LLP acts for insurance, real estate and transport companies on contentious matters linked to environmental crime and investigations by the Environment Agency. The firm is also experienced in advising on nuisance claims, asbestos-related environmental damages and liability issues arising from poor waste management in the manufacturing process. The firm also assists with permitting issues regarding the storage of hazardous substances. Practice heads David Leckie and Victor Rae-Reeves have extensive experience in environmental litigation, as does Brian Greenwood.

Fraud: civil Tier 5

Clyde & Co LLP handles a wide range of litigation, including cross-border disputes and commercial, contractual, trading, insider dealing, market abuse, money laundering, bribery and corruption, sanctions and securities litigation. Other areas of expertise include fabricated or exaggerated claims, serial claimants, staged incidents, personal injury claims, late notified claims and fraud rings. Key client sectors range from marine and trade to real estate, employment and pensions. Global insurers, brokers, local authorities, corporates and banks are among the team's clients. Damian Rourke heads the practice and focuses on various civil and criminal cases, including motor, personal and commercial property, employers' and public liability.

M&A: lower mid-market deals, £50m-£500m Tier 5

Clyde & Co LLP's corporate M&A team advises clients on strategic alliances, joint ventures, acquisitions and corporate compliance across key sectors of expertise, including real estate, marine, energy and natural resources and professional services. The international nature of the firm means that clients are both domestic and international, instructing the team on cross-border mandates across Europe, Asia and emerging markets. The team is led by Simon Vere Nicoll  , who advises both public and private companies on corporate finance transactions, including private equity-backed acquisitions.

Pensions (non-contentious) Tier 5

Recent mandates for the team at Clyde & Co LLP have included advising on scheme restructuring exercises, benefit closures, master trust regulations, SIPPS platforms and scheme risks mitigation arising from corporate acquisitions. The team also advises insurers on their annuity offerings.The firm has a developing contentious pensions practice, often drawing on the firm’s wider litigation department to act on claims relating to professional negligence, historic administration errors and investigations by the Pensions Ombudsman and the FCA. Practice head Mark Howard recently left to join workplace pensions platform Smart Pension as general counsel; key lawyers in London include Paul Hodges and Ivan Wilkinson.

Property finance Tier 5

Clyde & Co LLP has particular expertise in advising on high-end property acquisitions, development finance, onshore and offshore investment structures, and cross-border, sharia-compliant transactions. The team’s client base includes property development and investment companies, funds, major financial institutions and challenger banks; it also acts for a number of clients from the Middle East and Far East. Practice head Chris Lenton specialises in advising on mixed-use developments.

Transport finance & leasing Tier 5

Clyde & Co LLP's 'very responsive and co-operative' four-partner asset finance team is best known for its work in the shipping sector on behalf of operators, lessors and financiers. As well as traditional financing work within the cruise and tanker sectors, the firm also boasts several niches, including team head Stuart McAlpine's expertise on high-value LNG shipping projects and John Leonida's super-yacht expertise. The 'knowledgeable and co-operative' Mark Bisset leads on the aviation finance front for both commercial airlines and corporate/business jets.

Banking litigation: investment and retail Tier 6

Clyde & Co LLP's client list includes financial institutions, corporations and individuals, and its representative banking litigation experience frequently involves multi-jurisdictional matters. The team has particular disputes expertise in relation to derivatives and interest rate swaps. Neil Jamieson's practice includes asset tracing, James Cooper has extensive experience in acting for directors, officers and financial institutions in contentious matters, and Helen Rowlands advises on regulatory investigations and disciplinary issues, as well as international banking and finance disputes. Andrew Foster is also a key adviser.

Intellectual property Tier 6

The 'flexible, professional and reliable' practice at Clyde & Co LLP provides 'sensible and pragmatic advice' on patent disputes in the life sciences sector.  Patent litigator Ralph Cox heads up the practice, which includes legal director Rebecca Costen, who focuses on IP litigation and brand protection matters and counts retail, hospitality and e-commerce among her sector specialisms. David Wilkinson joined Ashurst.

Immigration

Clyde & Co LLP's business immigration offering is regularly engaged by multinational corporate clients on global mobility issues and in relation to corporate restructurings, acting for clients across a number of sectors, with particular experience in the oil, gas and insurance sectors. It also advises senior executives. The team is led by Jonathan Chaimovic - described as 'an expert in his field' - and is able to draw on the international firm's global footprint to handle cross-border issues.

Travel

Able to tap into its extensive global footprint, Clyde & Co LLP is instructed by leading insurers, tour operators and hotels on international personal injury cases. The team, which is largely based across its Edinburgh and Manchester offices, is experienced in fatal and catastrophic injury claims, as well as multi-party actions, and is noted for its expertise in handling jurisdictional and applicable law issues.

Commercial property: Kent, Surrey, Sussex Tier 1

Clyde & Co LLP's Guildford team works in conjunction with other UK teams to provide a comprehensive service on the full range of transactions, contentious work and related planning, finance and tax. 'First rate' Adam Taylor-Smith and associate Choisanne Man are especially highlighted for their client-focused approach.

Corporate and commercial: Kent, Surrey, Sussex Tier 1

Clyde & Co LLP's Guildford team serves clients ranging from mid-sized to global, with an especially strong roster of energy clients. Simon Vere Nicol's experience spans public and private company corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and private equity transactions and much of his work has an international element. Nick Purnell serves clients in a range of sectors including marine/shipping and the wider transportation and logistics sectors, while Richard Elks has a focus on real estate work. Legal director John Hopper is noted for his negotiating skills.

Health and safety Tier 1

Clyde & Co LLP is praised for its ‘customer focus and understanding’ as well as its ‘in-depth knowledge and experience’. The team, which acts for both insurer and corporate clients, is led by Chris Morrison, who is described as 'the best lawyer in this field'. Rod Hunt is sought after by clients in the energy, construction and manufacturing sectors, while legal director Mark Brookes handles work relating to fatalities, corporate manslaughter and gross negligence manslaughter, advising blue chip clients, SMEs and individuals in the retail, agricultural, manufacturing and construction space. Legal director Nathan Buckley regularly undertakes his own advocacy before the Magistrates' Courts and the Coroner's Courts.

Construction Tier 1

Personal injury: defendant Tier 1

The personal injury defence team at Clyde & Co LLP is well known for delivering innovative solutions in cases involving the most serious injuries and providing strategic disease litigation. David Wynn predominantly deals with asbestos-related, carcinogenic and chemical poisoning claims for insurers and multinational companies, while Chris Murray focuses on complex personal injury litigation in respect of road traffic accidents, employers' and public liability. James Dadge and Peter Whitehead are also key names. Damien Rourke, who specialises in defeating fraudulent claims, relocated from the firm's London office to Manchester in late 2018.

Professional negligence Tier 1

The Oxford-based team at Clyde & Co LLP has vast proficiency in handling high-value and high-stakes professional negligence matters. Led by Tony Nurse-Marsh, the team regularly handles large claims and disputes for leading clients in the legal and insurance sectors. Other key practitioners include Clive Brett, Jim Taylor, and Katherine Gregory, all of whom have expertise in construction-related claims.

Professional negligence Tier 1

James Preece and Louisa Robbins lead Clyde & Co LLP's professional negligence department, which in the past year has seen an increase in instructions in the property sector relating to claims against solicitors and surveyors, as well as an uptick in the defence of claims against construction professionals. Disciplinary and regulatory work is another area of enhanced activity for the team. Senior associate Anne-Marie Morgan-Barrett is also recommended.

Shipping Tier 1

Jai Sharma is the key contact at Clyde & Co LLP, which focuses on three distinct areas of the shipping sector: cargo, insurance and casualty. Sharma heads up the group on the casualty front and has assisted cargo underwriters with over 300 marine casualty cases throughout his career.

IT and telecoms Tier 2

Clyde & Co LLP acts for a wide range of clients on technology matters and is distinguished by its sector specialisms in security, logistics, energy, and insurance, with particular emphasis on the latter. The firm has a focus on software procurement, including SaaS and cloud issues. Mark Williamson heads the practice and is noted for his e-commerce, IT, and data protection expertise.

Personal injury: defendant Tier 2

Clyde & Co LLP acts primarily in the areas of latent disease, including strategic advice to insurers, handling asbestos claims and short tail disease litigation. Industrial disease specialist Toby Scott leads the team and can call on experienced senior associate Emily Blackett, who has particular expertise in poisoning claims.

Planning and environment Tier 2

Clyde & Co LLP's 'fantastic environment team' is engaged on the full range of environmental work and stands out for its expertise in environmental crime, where the team advises on Environment Agency and local authority investigations, prosecutions, and enforcement actions. The team is regularly engaged by corporate clients and insurers. Former Environment Agency prosecutor Rod Hunt has 'valuable expertise' and heads the team. Chris Morrison leads the safety, security, health and environmental regulatory group and senior associate Anna Willetts handles environmental criminal defence work.

Professional negligence Tier 2

Clyde & Co LLP specialises in litigation and focuses on handling high value and complex claims. The practice acts for insurers, defending claims against a range of professionals, including solicitors, barristers, accountants, financial advisers and brokers, as well as construction and healthcare professionals. Anthony Brown leads the team and has particular expertise in defending claims against solicitors and accountants.

Property litigation Tier 2

Clyde & Co LLP's property litigation department is 'a favourite for household name clients'. The firm advises on the full range of contentious property matters for clients operating in the retail, leisure, healthcare and manufacturing sectors. London-based partner Keith Conway is the practice head. Associate Armel Elaudais in Guildford is the name to note for right to light matters, telecoms issues and specific performance claims.

Transport Tier 2

Clyde & Co LLP represents clients in the marine, aviation and insurance sectors. Areas of expertise include cargo claims, international logistics, warehousing, defence of transport liability claims, yacht claims and recoveries, ports and marina incidents and marine insurance. The team also benefits from the firm's 'great international network of correspondent lawyers', as well as its in-house recoveries service in Manchester. ‘Trusted legal adviser’ Emma Rice heads up the firm's marine department in Manchester and was promoted to equity partner in 2018.

Professional negligence Tier 3

Clyde & Co launched a Bristol office in May 2018 with the hire of two hugely experienced partners - Ian Peacock, a a professional indemnity litigator who spent 26 years at Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP and its predecessor firms, and John Eastlake, who was formerly London head of professional indemnity at Kennedys. The team, which also includes senior associate Toby Rouse and associates Amy Martin and James Whalley, works in tandem with the firm's top-rated London practice, handling a broad range of insurance disputes for big-name clients.

Construction Tier 4

Clyde & Co LLP offers specialist construction advice for a range of industry players; it advises employers, contractors, sub-contractors and consultants on contracts, project delivery and disputes. The education, healthcare and energy sectors are key focuses for the team which is headed by Steven Cannon, who is noted for his contentious expertise. Legal director Lucy Frith specialises in construction and engineering disputes, and has particular expertise in the energy and infrastructure sectors. Consultant Julie Morrissy handles contentious and non-contentious work for public and private sector clients.